South Jersey-based artist Ryan Evans is literally making "rainbows out of trash," creating dense, multicolored portraits that capture the overwhelming nature of modern consumer culture. Working with colored pencils and acrylic paint, Evans transforms mundane objects like McDonald's receipts and parking tickets into canvases for his satirical yet sincere commentary on contemporary visual culture.
Evans' work exists in a unique space between humor and horror, combining seemingly nonsensical imagery to reveal deeper connections in how we process modern life. His compositions feature an eclectic mix of pink assault rifles, military-styled LaBuBus, computer keyboard escape buttons, and references to Bret Easton Ellis' "American Psycho." These disparate elements come together to map the neural pathways that link images in our collective consciousness.
"I want to make a rainbow out of trash," Evans explains, describing his approach to creating art from the excess of consumerism and meme imagery. Rather than working like a traditional collage artist who physically repurposes materials, Evans uses a collage-style illustration technique that honors "the kind of things meant to be used once and forgotten."
The artist draws inspiration from a diverse range of media that evokes awe and wonder, including "The Matrix," Nicolas Cage films, and the video game "Death Stranding 2," which some describe as more of a playable movie than a traditional game. Evans channels what he describes as the "brain-melting absurdity" of artist Peter Saul while maintaining the accessibility of fast food restaurant aesthetics - garish but loveable.
"I'm drawn to the parts of life that feel both ridiculous and terrifying - the things we scroll past but can't stop thinking about later," Evans says. He cites algorithmic abysses, existential dread, and rampant consumerism as his primary sources of what he jokingly calls "nightmarish inspirations." "You know, the good stuff," he quips.
Evans' creative process involves asking himself fundamental questions about visual communication and cultural commentary. "I ask myself what I want to see. Is it some type of visual joke I want to make or a piece of nostalgia I'd like to parody?" This introspective approach helps him navigate between creating pure entertainment and meaningful social critique.
His recent works showcase this philosophy in action. Pieces like "Perpetual Motion Machine," "Going Out Of Business," and "Simulacra Americana" demonstrate his ability to transform everyday consumer detritus into something vibrant and emotionally resonant. Whether he's depicting piggy banks on cardboard, rendering Ritalin bottles on data sheets, or drawing the Internet Explorer logo over a weeping Statue of Liberty, Evans consistently elevates the mundane doomscroll experience into art.
The charm of Evans' work lies not just in his subject matter but in his sophisticated eye for composition. His ability to find meaning in chaos reflects a broader cultural moment where digital overwhelm has become a defining characteristic of modern life. Through his art, Evans provides a way to process and move through the constant noise of contemporary existence, transforming visual pollution into something beautiful and meaningful.
